Because You Can

Dear Familia,

This week they kicked me out of the nest and at the same time gave me a little bird of my own to take care of. Yes, this week I finished my 12 week training on Monday, and Wednesday during transfers, they gave me a newbie to take care of and train! WHAT!!! And I don't exactly know how the biology worked out, but my child is Brazilian! Her name is Hna. Prates and she knows a little bit of Spanish, and about 10 words in English....this has been a bit of a challenge in more ways than one. We manage pretty well in the pensión with our Spanish and sign language, and the members/less actives are really helpful and understanding, but it's been a real challenge with our investigadores. I've been really trying to do all I can to have a member with us in every lesson with our investigadores and that has helped a lot. Also, Sofia, the girl that I´ve sent a couple photos of, has been a huge help with accompanying us to our lessons.

Something else that's been a bit of a challenge is that Hna. Prates hasn't exactly developed a work ethic and has a boyfriend that told her she needed to serve a misión if they were to get married. During our companionship study I've really been trying to help her develop a desire to study the scriptures, and realize we will be blessed through obedience. Something I've noticed with all my different companions is we all come out on the misión for different reasons, but what´s important is the reason we stay out on the misión.

I don't know if Dad remembers, but when he gave me a blessing right before I left for the MTC, he said that there would be a time when the only person I'd be converting would be my companion. This might be that time. When I first learned I'd be training a brand new missionary that couldn't communicate clearly with me, or anyone else here, I was terrified and asked my Father in Heaven why he had chosen me to train her...I can barely communicate with the people, and I have only 3 months in the misión field....but immediately I felt His love and support telling me "Porque tú puedes." (Because you can.)

Sometimes God gives us trials and we don't understand why, but He does. He knows what we can become and has a bigger plan for us than we have for ourselves. Now is the time to exercise my faith in my Savior and follow the example of Nephi, "I will go and do what the Lord has commanded me, for I know that the Lord will never give a commandment unto the children of men, save he shall first prepare a way that they may accomplish what he has commanded." I know that with the help of my Lord and Savior I can accomplish the work he has called Hna. Prates and me to accomplish here in Levarte C.

I love you all so much, and hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! Eat a turkey leg for me!

Please remember Hna. Prates and me in your prayers, and please pray that we will be able to have the gift of tongues and that our investigadores can progress, especially Andreas, Luis, Javiera, and Valeria.

XOXO-Hna. McKenna 

Fun Facts:

Bowen Call is one of my Zone leaders!

Here salsa is anything you put on anything! Chocolate sauce, Alfredo sauce, syrup, etc....it's all called salsa!

I can understand Portuguese when my companion speaks slow!!! WAHOOO! I know three languages! Four if you count sign language, which I'm now pretty stinking good at!

Things I'm teaching my “daughter”...

-How to make her bed.

-How to tell time with a watch.

-That we shouldn't wash our shoes in the sink…

Scripture of the week: D&C 123:17